The crises in Syria and Mali, along with the situations in Somalia and Egypt, will be the main topics of discussion today at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where Minister Terzi is representing Italy.
Syria
Italy will stress the urgency to accelerate a political solution hinging on Assad’s exit from the scenario, and the need to strengthen international community support for the Coalition (while awaiting an interim government that would constitute the first step toward the establishment of a broader-based transitional government), as well as to reinforce humanitarian assistance efforts on behalf of the civilian population.
Mali
The priority remains that of boosting coordination on the timeframes and modalities called for by the crisis, the envisioned European military training mission to which Italy intends to contribute, as well as ways to finance an international African-led support mission (AFISMA) and the possible resumption of development cooperation projects.
Somalia
A major protagonist, new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, will be a guest at the European Council meeting, offering an important opportunity to reassert the Union’s high profile in Somalia and, more in general, in the Horn of Africa, which Italy has long considered an area whose stability could constitute a security threat.
Egypt
As Minister Terzi has repeatedly pointed out, in Egypt the “the strengthening of institutions and the democratic process must be irreversible”, while it remains essential that Europe help steer all Egyptian political players toward dialogue and moderation.
Also expected is an exchange of views on EU/US relations, seen as pivotal to Europe’s efforts as a global actor.
